Surely Baron and Baroness Bloodstone had to be present at Selection Night every year just like the other Barons. If I was stuck with Riyan forever, I needed to form a new alliance with the Bloodstones. I sucked up my anger and shoved it behind iron bars as I scanned the room formore crimson.
“So, Madame Bloodstone,” said a voice as smoothas ink.
I turned around. The voice belonged to Rubia who stood with asnickering Pearl.
“Could you be a dear and let us know when you have had your first night with him?” Rubia asked coyly. “We want a go athim too.”
“A half-giant would be fun,” added Pearl. “I would die happy underneaththat man.”
I stormed away as they cackled. I clenched my fists so tightly my fingernails pierced my palms again. I hated those damn nobles and their disgusting games. I hated the smell of wine everywhere. I hated my stupid, drunkard husband. I hated Derrick. I hated him for making me yearn for him, forming a plan to be together, and then pulling the rug out from under me in frontof everyone.
In my rage, I spotted Duke Hyton dragging Derrick around the ballroom in a sort of drunken parade. Every noble that passed him gave Derrick a clap on the back or offered him more wine to celebrate his glorious achievement.
I nearly spun on my heels and left the ballroom, but his beautiful yet sad eyes found mine through the crowd. Any hatred I had for him instantly slipped away. He looked back at me like he wanted to jump into the black pit with me and stay therefor eternity.
I could not hate Derrick, that would be unfair. Someone else shared the blame for my life shredding to bits inan instant.
Brietta. My supposed best friend. The person who agreed to an annulment because she had brothers to care for her while I had nothing. Brietta did not care that I had nothing, she was from the House of Elvar. Her spoiled, over-privileged ass never knew whatnothingwas like.
My rage ignited into a burning fury—I would give her a taste of whatnothingcouldreally do.
My eyes darted to the open door of the small waiting room and my outrage pushed me through the crowd. Inside I found Brietta, sitting on the very same couch we had just relaxed on together.
Her tiara sat askew on top of her mussed hair. She did not even give me the decency of looking at me. She just sat there, hands folded on top of her wrinkled skirt, and stared at the gold wallpaper with her brown eyes as wide astea saucers.
Thatfucking bitch.
I slammed the sitting room door closed behind me. “How could you? Youruined everything!”
“It was the magic, Sera!” Brietta pleaded, her eyes welling up with tears. “We did not mean to…it all happened so quickly! One minute we were dancing, andthe next—”
She was an idiot if she thought I was going to dry her tears again. “Do you realize what you have done? You doomed me to a life with that monster! You doomed Ravenwood! You betrayedme, Brietta!”
Brietta dipped her head so low her tiara nearly fell off. “I am sorry, it was not my fault. I did notwant to—”
“Oh, it was all just themagic?” My teeth ached from fury. She thought I was stupid. She thought I was less than nothing. “Tell me then why the magic has not worked that way on Dinah? Or Camille? Or me? Stop making excuses, admit that you chose to fuckmy Derrick!”
“YourDerrick?” Brietta snapped, rising from the couch. She towered over me and her eyes lit up with anger. “Serafina, you lie to everyone, even to yourself, but you cannot fool me. I know you do notlove him!”
I took a step back. “You do notknow anything.”
Brietta folded her arms across her breasts. “I was the one who helped you write all those letters, remember? You are as sincere as a serpent and could not have charmed him without using me. I played along because I felt like I owed you for your kindness, but I have hadenough.You were going to have me annul my marriage and live the rest of my lifein shame!”
“You should not even be here, Brietta!” My hoarse voice crashed through my sore throat. “Duke Hyton only brought you into our Selection Night for Riyan. He was supposed to pickyou!I am the one who is supposed to be in Hyton Blue, wearing the family tiara, and standing arm-in-arm with the man who lovesme,not you!”
Brietta’s voice hissed out from her lips like a frost. “And if Riyan did marry me, you would have never even considered annulling your marriage to the heir tosave me.”
My chest heaved. How dare she try to compare our situations? It was obvious to anyone with at least one functioning eye and half a mind that I was in danger, all thanks to my supposedbest friend.
“He is going to kill me.” My voice was strained as I glared up at Brietta. “He isa monster.”
Brietta’s lower lip trembled. “Just because he is big does not mean he is a monster. I thought you knew betterthan that.”
“And I thoughtyouknew better than to take things that were not yours.” I threaded my words and shoved the needle where I knew she would bleed. “Derrick willneverlove you.”
Brietta’s chest shuddered, but I could not taste the sweet milk of vengeance. My head spun and my stomach lurched. The wine had hit me harder than I thought, just like Mother had warned. I needed air, fresh air, before Ithrew up.
I slammed my hand over my lips and left. I ran across the ballroom, dodging more drunk nobles as I fought to keep my churning stomach still, until my hands found the handles to thegarden doors.
